A foot of water traveling 2 mph is all it takes to sweep away a large SUV, pickup truck or car.

Flash flooding is common in many areas of our community, so it is important to remember to avoid water-covered roads, and to never drive around a “road closed” barrier.

Within CCFR’s boundaries, there are two rivers, as well as countless creeks, lakes and ponds, including nearly 12 miles of the Dardenne Blueway, a recreational waterway for kayakers. CCFR crews are ready to respond to water and ice emergencies in any of these bodies of water.

Over the past five years, the District has increased its ability to provide life-saving assistance in water emergencies, with nearly half of CCFR’s professional firefighters now trained in swift water rescue and operations. These crew members are all capable of safely rescuing victims utilizing the District’s two boats, which are housed at Fire Station #5, the station closest to the Mississippi River.

The boats are considered one rescue unit, always traveling together on a specialized trailer that also carries equipment for water and ice rescue operations including 25 personal flotation devices and 15 dry rescue suits. To ensure the safety of victims and first responders, both boats are often together in the water for a rescue.

The 16-foot flat bottom aluminum boat can handle the swift currents often found in rivers and can transport up to six people. It can also be connected to other boats if needed.

The light and easily maneuverable inflatable boat was designed specifically for search and rescue operations in many of the smaller waterways protected by CCFR. It is light enough that just two rescuers can carry it if the need arises.

“This is extremely beneficial during flooding events, where the depth of the water can vary drastically and require the boat to be lifted over or carried short distances,” Deputy Chief Jason Meinershagen says.

The boat can also remain stable in fast-moving water and be launched directly from the banks of the waterway.

These boats also allow CCFR crews to reach victims who are stranded in areas inaccessible by roads during flooding, and to provide mutual aid assistance to neighboring departments near the 10 miles of the Missouri River and 18 miles of the Mississippi River that pass through the District.

Top 5 Weather Safety Tips

1. Never enter a water-covered roadway!
2. If you hear tornado sirens, take cover in a basement or windowless room.
3. Stay tuned to the local news during spring storms.
4. Keep your phone charged when bad weather is expected.
5. Stay away from floodwaters.

Working Together, Keeping You Safe

Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. That’s no surprise, with many of us decking our halls with Christmas trees, twinkle lights and holiday candles — decorations that can bring great joy to family and friends, they can also create a greater risk for fire. 

Continue reading “Wishing You a Happy, Hazard-Free Holiday Season”

If you or someone else were drowning, would you know what to do? Ten people die each day from unintentional drowning, but these deaths are largely preventable with proper water safety precautions and quick thinking in case of emergency!

Continue reading “What to Do in a Water Emergency?”

Do You Have Copper or Aluminum Wiring? The Difference Matters.

Tasked with updating those ancient light switches in the kitchen? Standing in front of the hundreds of options available at the home improvement store, you narrow it down to two choices — one is $4, the other is 75 cents. But if you don’t know what type of wiring is in your home, it’s a decision that could cost you much more than the few dollar difference between the two switches.

Your home was built with either copper or aluminum wiring. Knowing which one you’re working with is critically important when considering any electrical improvements or repairs.

Due to the exorbitant cost of copper in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many homes built during this time have aluminum wiring. It was quickly discovered, however, that the quality of the aluminum being used put these homes at a higher risk for fires. A study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that homes built before 1972 and wired with aluminum are 55 times more likely to have an outlet wiring connection reach fire hazard conditions than those wired with copper. This risk can increase if the wrong replacement parts are used or if rewiring is done incorrectly.

Copper and aluminum wired electrical systems are not interchangeable. They require different types of wiring, switches and connectors, with the aluminum components often being quite a bit more expensive than their copper counterparts.

“Beyond making sure you are using the correct type of wiring and connectors, working with electricity is tricky and dangerous, with a risk for electrocution injuries, home fires and more,” CCFR Assistant Chief Steve Brown says. “When you are considering home improvement projects, leave the electrical projects to a qualified electrician. What might be a higher upfront investment will be worth it in the long run.”

Brown has witnessed these types of fires as recently as this year, when an improperly wired electric cooktop set a house ablaze right here in our community.

If you have a home built in the 1960s or ‘70s, it can be tricky to determine whether you have aluminum or copper wiring because of the way it was originally labeled. If you think you may have aluminum wiring, it is important to have your home evaluated by a qualified electrician to determine whether it should be replaced or repaired. When hiring an electrician, ensure they are licensed and have experience with both aluminum and copper wiring.

Still trying to decide which switch to get? It’s time to call an electrician.

Dreaming of your next vacation? Thinking of staying in a vacation rental (ie. Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) instead of a hotel? Before you make your reservations, make sure you read this first!

A 2018 study published in the journal Injury Prevention found that many Airbnb properties lack basic fire safety features. According to the study, 20 percent of Airbnb property owners did not report having smoke alarms; 42.5 percent did not report having carbon monoxide alarms; and 58 percent didn’t report having fire extinguishers.

While fire safety advocates have urged Airbnb and similar vacation or short-term rental companies to enforce current National Fire Protection Association fire safety standards, without uniform regulation across the country, it’s essential that travelers be proactive about fire safety at their home away from home.

If you decide to stay at an Airbnb, VRBO or other rental property while traveling this spring/summer, make sure to review this safety checklist from the NFPA:

• Do your homework before making a reservation. You should be able to find more information about local regulations online, which you can then discuss with the host before arrival. This is a good time to discuss the property’s preparedness for other emergencies (such as a power outage or natural disaster).
• Make a list that includes the property’s address, local emergency numbers, emergency contact information for the owner and notes from the owner about all escape routes/exits.
• Each room should have at least two ways to escape during an emergency.
• Upon arrival, do a walkthrough of the property to check for:
  • Working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every sleeping room and outside each sleeping area, as well as carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area.
  • Portable fire extinguishers that are easy to reach.
  • Exterior doors and windows that are easy to open.
  • Pathways clear of any tripping hazards.

By following this simple checklist and acting as your own fire safety advocate, you can relax and know that your vacation won’t go up in smoke!

It’s time to spring forward and set your clocks one hour ahead — Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10!

The changing of your clocks is a great time to take a few moments to check the batteries in your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Taking a few simple steps this weekend could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Click here for more smoke alarm safety tips.